NBA Rumors: Could Kevin Durant be back after the All-Star Break?
When will Kevin Durant come back from injury? How will this impact the Suns’ chances of getting homecourt advantage for the playoffs?
According to the Arizona Republic, Kevin Durant isn’t expected back from his MCL right sprain until after the All-Star break. The break which begins Thursday is the first checkpoint for when the All-NBA player can return from injury.
Although there isn’t an exact timetable for when Durant will return it seems that he will be back in late February or early march, as that will be two months since he suffered the sprain. When Adrian Wojnarowski reported his injury return date in January, it seemed like he would be out for a month. Considering that it will be twice his expected return date, that late February or early March date feels realistic.
The Suns have two more games until the All-Star Break, against the Kings and Clippers before. It seems like Kevin Durant might be back for the Suns’ first game after the break, against the Bucks on Feb. 24 or shortly thereafter.
How will Kevin Durant impact the Suns’ chase for homecourt advantage in the playoffs?
The Suns have a realistic shot of getting to the third seed but, pending a collapse by the Grizzlies or Nuggets, will struggle to get beyond that. There is a solid chance that the Suns will finish better than the Kings for the third seed as they are only two games back of third place in the conference right now.
Additionally, it is very realistic to say that the Suns will end up in the No. 4 to No. 6 range in terms of seeding. It seems unlikely that the Suns will end up in the play-in, even though they are only a game and a half back of that spot, now that they will have Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and the rest of the talent on this roster.
Regardless, it seems at best that the Phoenix will be able to have a homecourt advantage for the first and (maybe) second round but not in a Conference Finals matchup against the Grizzlies or Nuggets.
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